The Car Connection Expert Review

Likes

Dislikes

Handling is just average

The all-wheel-drive gas penalty is noticeable

Third-row seat space is slight, compared to rivals

Buying tip

The third-row seat in the Santa Fe is among the smaller in the segment. If you use it only rarely, it's no big deal—but if you're the lead driver in the soccer carpool, it's worth testing to its seven-passenger maximum before you buy.

features & specs

The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is geared toward big families with a strong V-6 and loads of features, but third-row seat space is slim, and safety scores are absent.

The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport straddles the middle of the South Korean automaker's crossover SUV lineup, between the smart new Tucson at the small end, and the big Santa Fe three-row utility vehicle at the pricey point of the spectrum. It's the best of the three, with ample space for five passengers, a nifty available sliding second-row option for more cargo and passenger configurations, and a simple, capable infotainment system.

As such, it's a rival for some of the best-selling vehicles in America—everything from the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 to the Ford Escape.

The Sport's greeting point is an attractive shape that looks modern, and grown-up, compared to the vehicle it replaced back in the 2013 model year. Its sharp edges and tight creases wrap around the glassy wagon body in interesting ways, and the grille presents a handsome hexagonal face, bracketed and balanced by headlamps and foglamps. The interior is another bar raised for Hyundai, with a shield of controls surrounded by the usual swoops and fluid curves. It's all trimmed in two-tone materials, an upscale touch that looks better when it's capped in glossy trim than in faux wood.

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The Sport gets power from either a normally aspirated inline-4, with 190 horsepower, or a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 with 264 hp. The turbo drops only a couple of miles per gallon on the highway while turning in very capable acceleration, making the trade-off of economy for performance pretty worthwhile. Both engines feature direct injection for better fuel economy and more power—33 mpg or 29 mpg highway, respectively. They're backed by a well-sorted 6-speed automatic transmission, with front- and all-wheel drive configurations available.

The Santa Fe Sport driving experience is mostly effortless and smooth. The powertrains are muted well, though sometimes the automatic gets caught napping when gear changes are dialed up. Ride quality is probably the Santa Fe Sport's best feature—it's almost always calm and collected—but its three-mode steering is mostly there for technological flourish. We'd just as soon leave it in Normal or Sport, because Comfort is just too slow to respond.

Crossovers are all about room and utility, and both Santa Fe models fit that bill. The front seats are a step up from the most recent Hyundai vintage, with better support built into the bottom cushion. But the second row is where the action is: on some models, the second row slides on a 5.2-inch track for better flexibility, in the same way the seat in the Chevy Equinox moves. The seat also reclines and folds on a 40/20/40 split, making way for longer objects while preserving four seating positions. There's also some storage space below the cargo floor and even some space for a handbag ahead of the shift lever, though that'll block access to the audio ports.

The Santa Fe and Sport have the usual airbags (including a driver knee airbag) and stability control. Bluetooth is standard and a rearview camera is an option on all but the base model. Blind-spot monitors and parking sensors were new options for 2014, and the former is now standard as of the 2015 model year. The shorter-wheelbase Santa Fe Sport earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and similar ratings from the IIHS in all but the difficult small overlap frontal crash test.

With a base price of about $26,000, the Sport makes the usual Hyundai case for value. It gets power windows, locks, and mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; tilt/telescoping steering; steering-wheel audio and phone controls; and 17-inch wheels. Daytime running lights and an auto up/down front passenger window are now standard across the lineup. The standard audio system is an AM/FM/CD player with satellite radio, USB and auxiliary ports, Bluetooth with audio streaming, and six speakers. A panoramic sunroof, Infinity audio, a hands-free tailgate, and an improved navigation system lift the Santa Fe Sport to a higher price plateau.

The Santa Fe duo also gets Hyundai's BlueLink telematics system as standard equipment. This OnStar-like system incorporates turn-by-turn navigation and Bluetooth streaming for apps such as Pandora, and works in conjunction with your smartphone and an owner website to set up functions like speed limits and geofencing—setting up boundaries for where the car can be driven. A BlueLink app for the iPhone is available, giving owners the ability to lock and unlock and to start the Santa Fe Sport by remote, too.

The base Santa Fe Sport with the 2.4-liter inline-4 and front-wheel drive is rated at 20 mpg city, 27 highway, 23 combined on the EPA cycle. With all-wheel drive, the mileage pegged at 19/25/21 mpg. There isn't much of a penalty for choosing the turbocharged Santa Fe Sport, especially since it can also run on regular gasoline. It's rated at 19/27/22 mpg for front-drive models, and 18/24/21 mpg for those with all-wheel-drive.

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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Styling

Blessed with a handsome mainstream appeal, the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport hits all the right crossover-SUV cues.

The Santa Fe was one of the first Hyundai products to move to a more mature styling language. Since it was introduced, the Genesis and Sonata have followed suit—and the smaller Hyundai Tucson's all but cloned the look.

The cockpit in the Santa Fe Sport has made enormous strides since its last generation. It carries a shield of controls at its center, and flanks them with big air vents—a theme that's recurring pretty often in compact-car design. The dash surface undulates, dipping low in front of passengers and bubbling up for gauges and the center stack, and large knobs control fan speed and audio volume. On crossovers with navigation, an 8.0-inch screen glows under a matte surface, and electroluminescent gauges toss in a few more subdued lumens. Hyundai's discovered how two-tone interior treatments can wake up a cabin, and the Santa Fe Sport offers some earthy colors and trims that link them a little more directly to the crossover world than any of their lines or surfaces.

The Sport is the best-looking of the Hyundai crossover-SUV trio, with a right-sized hexagonal grille bracketed in place with coordinated fog lamps and headlamps trimmed with LED lighting. The side sills stand out in relief up and over the rear wheel wells, and the rear door handles sit well back of the rear wheel opening in a way Mazda's now-defunct CX-7 would be proud of. It's all summed up by a simple, balanced treatment of taillights and glass on the tailgate. We can't help but pick out some vague likeness to the new Ford Escape in the rear end and the proportions around the headlights, but Ford's almost-hatchback crossover doesn't quite have the size to play out the curves you'll find on the Santa Fe Sport.

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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Performance

The Santa Fe Sport's ride and turbo acceleration are high points; the steering, less so.

With the Santa Fe Sport, drivers have a choice between turbocharged and normally aspirated 4-cylinder engines.

The base engine is predictably less satisfying, though our exposure to it has been less than the turbo-4. The base 2.4-liter inline-4 makes 190 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, output nearly identical to other applications like the Hyundai Sonata sedan. It's equipped with direct injection, which helps fuel economy reach up to 20 mpg on the EPA city cycle. That and price are its big benefits: otherwise, when teamed with Hyundai's 6-speed automatic, the base four doesn't summon enough power for more than single-passenger commuter duty.

For an altogether more pleasant driving experience, we recommend the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4. Also shared with the Sonata, it builds up 264 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. Using the same 6-speed, its top fuel-economy ratings are lower, at 27 mpg in front-wheel-drive form. An Active ECO mode will blur over shifts and throttle responses, saving very small amounts of gas at the same time. Since it's relatively lean, at 3,459 pounds, the turbo Santa Fe Sport is a solid straight-line performer, with acceleration to 60 mph in the 7-second range.

With either engine, the 6-speed offers a manual shift mode that's actuated by the shift lever, not the paddle switches that we prefer; but the transmission's shift points and quality are well-chosen and well-sorted most of the time. Step into the gas fully from a light throttle, and after a brief pause, the automatic shifts down eagerly, with a mild rebound felt through the drivetrain. You don't have to concentrate on being a smoother driver for the Santa Fe or the Sport to behave smoothly, though.

Electric power steering has been a learning curve for all automakers, and Hyundai's path has taken it from the Sonata to the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport with incremental improvements in feel and design. All these vehicles use a column-mounted motor, but the Santa Fe and Sport have the latest three-mode, driver-selectable steering that toggles through comfort, normal, and sport modes at the tap of a switch. In the Sport, the "sport" setting's increased effort helps it track better on the highway, and all-wheel-drive models soak up some more on-center vagueness. We'd leave Comfort's slow, light feel to anyone who thinks the last Santa Fe was a little too daring and sporty.

The Santa Fe Sport can be fitted with an optional all-wheel-drive system that uses an open center differential to distribute power from the front wheels to the rears when traction needs arise, and leans on anti-lock control to clamp down on wheelspin. It's not meant for ultimate off-road traction, but for on-road, all-weather capability. All-wheel-drive models also have torque vectoring control on the rear wheels via the same means; to aid cornering, the inside rear wheel gets some braking applied automatically. All the electronics can be shut off, for times when wheelspin is your ally. Ground clearance is 7.3 inches—not Subaru Outback territory, but not Sonata sedan, either.

All Santa Fe crossovers have a suspension design that creates a calm, quiet ride that's obvious after just a few miles of driving. The front struts and multiple links in the rear are fitted with bigger bushings and packaged more precisely inside the wheel wells than in the past, which Hyundai says frees up more cargo space and helps improve wheel control. The physics don't have to elude you—the silence from the wheel wells is proof enough, and the Sport feels absorbent and mostly controlled over freshly paved interstates and mildly broken back roads. When the gravel path gets really rutted, the Santa Fe Sport doesn't really lose its laid-back attitude, but rather lets its wheels (17-inchers are standard; 19-inchers are optional) rebound with a slightly firm thump.

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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Comfort & Quality

With its optional sliding second-row seat, the Santa Fe Sport makes the most of good passenger and cargo space.

The Santa Fe Sport may not have the third-row seat of the longer-wheelbase Santa Fe, but it has some nifty passenger and cargo-space tricks of its own.

Compared to its rivals, the Santa Fe Sport is right in the middle of the pack. It's packaged with more space than the Ford Escape, and is close in most major dimensions to the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Chevy Equinox. The spec sheet quotes it at 74 inches wide, 184.6 inches long, with a 106.3-inch wheelbase.

The Santa Fe's advantage over small crossover SUVs is clear from the driver seat. It has good leg room and knee room, with just enough for tall drivers if the optional panoramic sunroof is installed. The seats have good bolstering on the bottom cushion, and have well-shaped backrests. A power seat is standard on most versions, while power for the passenger seat and heating for both is an option.

Between the driver and front passenger, there's a deep console with two cupholders. Ahead of the shift lever, there's a big bin that can hold smartphones near the USB and auxiliary ports. The door pockets have molded-in storage for water bottles.

The rear seat splits and folds to flex its available space—and it slides, too. The seatback is made of three sections: 40/20/40 if you have the tape measure out, which means you can lower the middle section for narrow objects and still leave enough seats in place for four passengers. On Santa Fe Sports with leather seating, the second-row seat also slides back and forth on a 5.2-inch track. It's a handy feature that allows variable storage or passenger space. The same sliding bench also has reclining seatbacks, a great feature we've grown to appreciate on long-distance trips where we're not in total control.

When cargo is the mission, the Santa Fe Sport's front passenger seat folds flat, for carrying very long objects. With the rear seats raised, the Santa Fe Sport can hold 35.4 cubic feet of stuff; with the rear seats all down, the cargo hold grows to 71.5 cubic feet—about 8 cubic feet more than the Chevy Equinox. The Santa Fe Sport's cargo bin has shallow, under-floor storage that's perfect for holding laptop bags securely out of sight, which can be accessed only when the cargo area is empty. A cargo cover is also included, standard.

The textures and materials inside the Santa Fe Sport are generally of a high quality. There's some textured plastic behind the steering wheel that doesn't look as rich as the rest of the dash, and the lower center console buttresses snap together in obvious ways during assembly—but from a driver's perspective, the cockpit's never looked better, and moves the needle authoritatively in the right direction, from the standard set by the Sonata, improved on by the Elantra.

Hyundai's gone to more effort in this Santa Fe Sport to damp out noise and vibration. Suspension noise has been tamed with better isolation, and the turbocharged drivetrain hardly makes a sound as it climbs through the revs. The isolation in the cockpit is a magnitude better than in the last Sonata sedan with nearly identical powertrains.

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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Safety

Crash-test scores from the feds are good, but the IIHS gave it a worrying "Marginal" on small-overlap safety.

The Hyundai Santa Fe earns very good crash-test scores from the federal safety agency. The NHTSA gives it an overall rating of five stars, with the same score on most sub-tests except rollover resistance, where it earns four stars.

The IIHS reports fairly good overall scores for the Santa Fe Sport, including top "Good" marks in all categories except the notoriously difficult small overlap frontal crash, where the crossover earned a "Marginal" report. The small overlap crash result has kept the Sport from receiving the agency's Top Safety Pick status.

All models have the usual standard front, side, and curtain airbags, as well as a driver knee airbag, for a total of seven. Hill-start and downhill assist also are standard, along with anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control.

On the technology front, Bluetooth is standard across the lineup. A rearview camera is offered on models with leather seats, where it displays on a 4.3-inch LCD screen. On navigation-equipped Santa Fe Sports, the camera sends its output to the navigation's 8.0-inch screen. However, on vehicles without leather, there's no rearview camera at all. Blind-spot monitors and parking sensors are available.

Used Hyundai Santa Fe for sale near

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Features

It's more expensive than a base Escape or CR-V, but when they're comparably equipped, the Santa Fe Sport is a strong value.

With a base price of about $26,000, the Santa Fe Sport is well-equipped to compete with rivals. All versions come with power features; cruise control; air conditioning; tilt/telescoping steering; 17-inch wheels; and steering-wheel audio and phone controls. For audio, the Santa Fe Sport comes with an AM/FM/XM/CD player with auxiliary and USB ports, Bluetooth with audio streaming, and six speakers. Last year, Hyundai added standard express-up-and-down front windows and daytime running lights as standard equipment.

With either the normally aspirated or turbocharged Santa Fe Sport, options packages add more equipment, rather than trim levels.

A leather/premium package adds a power front passenger seat; proximity-based keyless ignition; a slide-and-recline second-row seat with heating; a rearview camera with a 4.3-inch screen; and HD Radio.

A technology package brings a panoramic sunroof with a sliding fabric sunshade, a navigation system, a heated steering wheel, and sunshades for the rear passenger windows. There's a slight difference in audio systems on this latter set of features: base crossovers get an in-house Dimension audio system with 10 speakers, while those with the turbocharged engine roll with a powerful 550-watt, 12-speaker Infinity system with surround sound (it's optional on the three-row Santa Fe, too).

On the options list, there's a hands-free tailgate which opens the rear hatch when the proximity key is held nearby for three seconds.

Hyundai's latest navigation system, the one found in some Santa Fe Sports, has better displays and functionality than previous efforts. It has speed-limit signs on its display and voice recognition, as well as SD card slot for simpler map updates. Pairing a phone to Bluetooth is easier, with pop-up commands, too.

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2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Fuel Economy

The Santa Fe Sport's fuel economy ratings are mostly average.

With front-wheel drive, the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport turns in unremarkable gas-mileage figures within its crossover niche. The base Santa Fe Sport with the 2.4-liter inline-4 and front-wheel drive is rated at 20 mpg city, 27 highway, 23 combined on the EPA cycle. With all-wheel drive, the mileage pegged at 19/25/21 mpg.

A base Honda CR-V, meanwhile, earns up to 34 mpg on the EPA highway run.

There isn't much of a penalty for choosing the turbocharged Santa Fe Sport, especially since it can also run on regular unleaded gasoline. It's rated at 19/27/22 mpg for front-drive models, and 18/24/21 mpg for those with all-wheel-drive.

AWESOME VEHICLE

Overall Rating

Styling

Performance

Comfort & Quality

Safety

Features

Fuel Economy

Reliability

Very satisfied with the vehicle. Small complaints on tiny things: fog lights are bad, and its switch is stupidly placed. Cruise Control buttons require restudy for its use. Fully loaded model in Chile, does...
Very satisfied with the vehicle. Small complaints on tiny things: fog lights are bad, and its switch is stupidly placed. Cruise Control buttons require restudy for its use. Fully loaded model in Chile, does not come with LED DAY LIGHTS.
Other than that, super comfortable, excellent performance, VERY QUIET on the inside. Has not yet been tested on bad roads, and/or snow. + More »

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March 13, 2016

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD 4-Door 2.0T

Best value for the money in the mid-size SUV that I found

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I purchased the 2016 Sante Fe Sport 2.0T Limited with Adventure Package in February of 2016. I moved up from a 2009 Ford Escape Limited and this is the first non-Ford vehicle that I have owned. After viewing...
I purchased the 2016 Sante Fe Sport 2.0T Limited with Adventure Package in February of 2016. I moved up from a 2009 Ford Escape Limited and this is the first non-Ford vehicle that I have owned.

After viewing multiple new and slightly used vehicles, and an intensive research phase between this vehicle and the Ford Edge, the Sante Fe Sport won out impressively. For a lifelong Ford owner I wanted to give the Edge the benefit of the doubt and it did impress, but for me it came down to features and affordability. It seemed that to get to a payment I was comfortable with I kept having to step down in the Edge while in the Hyundai I was able to step up to better models for less money. In the end, the cost on the base vehicle was $25 less bi-weekly for a fully (and I mean FULLY) loaded Santa Fe compared to a lesser Edge where I would have had to choose between the AWD or the panoramic roof. I ended up being able to get both - and more - in the Santa Fe. The Santa Fe interior space was also better than the Edge and with 2 teenage kids and my need for some cargo space the Santa Fe handles both easily.

I drive for long periods for work and in the first month I have put on 3,000 kms and it is very comfortable for the long hauls. The 2.0T has plenty of pep for my needs for both city and highway, with extra left in the tank for passing on the highway. So far, I am getting 25 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined (with more highway miles driven so far) on a brand new motor (26 kms on the vehicle when purchased) so I am thinking once it is broken in that may get better but we shall see. The cabin is very quiet even at highway speeds and the handling is great even though I have seen some reviews claiming it is a stiff ride. I have also seen some mention that the rear sight lines are not good, but I have found them similar to the Edge and not an issue at all. My Adventure Package came with 2-way remote start, a tow package, and the rubberized and fitted insert mats which I highly recommend if you live in an area with snow or excessive wet weather. They have saved my carpet from an early spring so far and I am glad I have them. On top of the affordability, I was also happy to get the full 5 year - 100,000 km warranty where in a Ford it would have been 3 year - 60,000 km.

Still happy after a month and still loving the new car feel. No buyers remorse here at all! + More »

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February 14, 2016

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD 4-Door Limited

How do they do it? This is a greta car for the money

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I tried the competitors ( Ford, Chev, Honda, Volkswagen, Toyota and Kia) The Volkswagen was terrible as well as the Kia. The Ford Explorer was nice but a bit pricey and the warranty didn't compare. The Honda...
I tried the competitors ( Ford, Chev, Honda, Volkswagen, Toyota and Kia) The Volkswagen was terrible as well as the Kia. The Ford Explorer was nice but a bit pricey and the warranty didn't compare. The Honda was comparable in drive and finish but I checked out parts like brake pad, rotors ... and the Honda prices are ridiculous as well as the warranty coverage. So the stars lined up for the Sante Fee. A word of caution here. dump the OEM tires on the Sante Fe. I switched them for Michelin Latitudes and the car drive much better and quiete.

This is a great car and fantastic value. I have 60,000 kms on it in 2 years and have enjoyed every km. I don't enjoy the Hyundai service and get oil changes etc at my local garage now. They try and up-sell. Compared to Honda though they are great.

This car drives well, great pick up. I two a small trailer and don't even know its there. The fit and finish is better then most cars and it is holding up well. I have not had any issues with this car. + More »

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December 20, 2015

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD 4-Door Limited

A lot of "Bang" for your "Buck"

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I Did a lot of research on crossover vehicles before deciding on purchasing this vehicle for my Wife. We test drove the Chevy Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer before going to the local Hyundai...
I Did a lot of research on crossover vehicles before deciding on purchasing this vehicle for my Wife. We test drove the Chevy Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer before going to the local Hyundai dealership. I was favoring the Santa Fe, however like I said, the vehicle was for my Wife. Bottom line, the decision would be her's.

Let's face it, when you are purchasing a new vehicle and making comparisons, they are all pretty much similar. Unless you are stuck on a particular make, it's all about economics. We are retired with 16 Grandchildren. We went with the Ultimate/Limited model, bottom line "Home Run". Everything that came with my model would have paid $5000-$10,000 more with other models. Do your homework. + More »

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November 3, 2015

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe FWD 4-Door Limited

Perfect design with excellent performance.

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The car has met my expectations for comfort and performance. Its engine responds quickly in the city, on the road and uphill. I think it's the best SUV up to $40.00.

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November 2, 2015

For 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Happy to get into H Factor!

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Just traded in 2014 Mazda CX5 for 2016 Sante Fe Sport 2.4 FWD,first time in a Hyundai, puts the Mazda to shame for style inside & out, much more attractive, better quality, price sure was very reasonable with...
Just traded in 2014 Mazda CX5 for 2016 Sante Fe Sport 2.4 FWD,first time in a Hyundai, puts the Mazda to shame for style inside & out, much more attractive, better quality, price sure was very reasonable with $2000 discount, sales manager made it sweeter with 4 winter tires, bug deflector, block heater. No deal making at Mazda at all, poor incentives, although were satisfied with gas mileage and vehicle handling, noisy though. Yet to comment on Sante Fe for gas mileage, maybe after 6000km. Nice riding, seats comfy, quiet. Love looking at it, and driving it. Glad to make a new choice in vehicles, lots of competition out there and lots of good comments for H Factor, best warranty going and pricing in comparison with Suv's. Happy motoring with Hyundai, try it, you might like it. + More »

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September 7, 2015

For 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe

Awesome SUV

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This SUV has everything for comfort and safety. I love the different driving modes and all the special features as well as safety features. The GPS even tells you the speed limit in the zones you are driving...
This SUV has everything for comfort and safety. I love the different driving modes and all the special features as well as safety features. The GPS even tells you the speed limit in the zones you are driving in so you wont speed. I could not ask for anything more in a car...this has it all. I love this car. + More »